If you are an adventurous person, there is a perfect national park for you. Whether you just want to drive your car to a bison herd, embark on a hiking journey, or visit the desert, there is a national park for everybody, filled with scenic drives, miles of hiking trails, wildlife, historic sites, and many opportunities for adventure. Let’s go through the top 5 national parks to visit in the US for your next adventurous trip.
It is also best to get a USA tourist SIM card while going on your trip to be able to communicate with your loved ones at very low rates.
Yosemite National Park
Known as One of California’s most-visited national parks, Yosemite national park is one of the best national parks in the USA to visit. The park stands out for its amazing waterfalls, such as Vernal Fall and Bridalveil Fall, as well as unique granite rock formations like Half Dome and El Capitan.
Location: California
Number of visitors: About 3.3 million annually, making it the 8th most visited national park.
When to go: The best time to visit Yosemite is from mid-May through November which is when all of the park roads are open.
Things to do: Hike to the top of Half Dome, which is a 17 miles round trip with 5,500 feet of elevation gain.
Acadia National Park
Arcadia National Park is the oldest national park east of the Mississippi and the biggest tourist attraction in Maine. The park is nicknamed the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast,” and has amazing views such as Somes Sound, Frenchman Bay, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain. It has 125 miles of dog-friendly hiking trails, that lead to some of the best viewpoints of the park.
Location: Maine
Number of visitors: About 4 million annually, making Acadia the 6th most visited national park
When to go: Go in mid-October for fall colors and experiences.
Things to do: Hike the Precipice Trail, take boat cruises, dine on lobster, and explore the lovely coastal town of Bar Harbor.
Badlands National Park
Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park protects 242,756 acres of sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles, along with the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. You can drive through this amazing national park in one day or explore the backcountry hiking trails where off-trail hiking is also permitted.
Location: South Dakota
Number of visitors: 1.2 million visitors annually, making it the 22nd most visited national park.
When to go: Spring and fall are the best times to go.
Things to do: Visit the overlooks on Badlands Loop Road, watch the sunrise and sunset, hike the Notch Trail, walk the Window and Door Trails, hike the Castle Trail, and drive Sage Creek Rim Road.
Further reading: Best places to visit in Spring
Yellowstone National Park
Known as the first national park in the world, Yellowstone National Park frequently makes the best national parks in the USA. It has many geological features you’ll find nowhere else on Earth, such as colorful hot springs, herds of bison and elk, geysers and bubbling mud pits, waterfalls and canyons, and the largest high-elevation lake in North America.
Location: Wyoming, Montana and Idaho
Number of visitors: 4.9 million visitors annually, making it the 3rd most visited park.
When to go: Summer and early fall is the best time to visit.
Things to do: Visit Old Faithful, spot wildlife in Lamar and Hayden Valleys, see the Grand Prismatic Spring, visit the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and hike the short trails in Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin.
Further reading: Best places to visit during Summer
Grand Canyon National Park
Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon National Park is home to one of the most iconic landscapes in the United States. It is most popular for its interesting views, and amazing hiking trails, and it makes a great road trip destination. The national park is also one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Location: Arizona
Number of visitors: About 4.5 million annually, making it the 4th most visited national park.
When to go: You can visit the Grand Canyon all year
Things to do: Visit the South Rim viewpoints, watch the sunset, hike below the rim on the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail, raft the Colorado River, take a flightseeing tour, and visit the North Rim.
Are you planning a trip to the beach?
Further reading: Top 5 West Coast beaches to visit in the USA
USA national parks FAQs
1. How many national parks are in the USA?
There are 63 national parks in the United States. The National Park System comprises 423 national park sites, only 63 of them have the “National Park” designation in their names.
2. What is the most visited national park in the United States?
The most visited national park is the Great Smoky Mountains, National Park.
3. When was the first national park established in the United States?
The first national park was established in 1916.
4. Which state in the United States has the most national parks?
California has the most national parks in the United States.
5. What is the newest national park in the United States?
The newest national park in the United States is the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
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